Venture North News

High-quality child care is critically important for young children and their families. The Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Great Start (OGS) is seeking input on ways to improve access to and availability of high-quality child care across the state. OGS is gathering input from stakeholders in a variety of forums across the state to…

A $31,430 Energy Efficiency Loan from Venture North and Traverse Light and Power Co. will help the Doblers make several energy saving upgrades throughout their store, located at 1116 Carver Street in Traverse City. Specifically, new high-efficiency LED lighting will be installed throughout the store, new refrigeration coils are being installed in the stores coolers…

The first business loan in Missaukee County from Venture North Funding & Development is helping a local automotive service garage start and grow its operation. A $30,000 loan from Venture North’s Working Capital Fund to 1st Chance Garage LLC south of Lake City helped launch the business in late November. Venture North is a regional…

A land sale for a 1.7-acre parcel along Garfield Avenue in Traverse City has been finalized between Chemical Bank and TraverseCONNECT for a workforce housing development. TraverseCONNECT is the parent organization of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce and Venture North Funding & Development. Chemical Bank sold the property to Venture North, which sold…

Daryl Lehn continued to build a successful operation since taking over Traverse Board & Paint Center five years ago, but faced uncertainty when the future ownership of the building was in doubt. An $82,384 bridge loan from Venture North to help him purchase the building put the business on solid footing going forward, and significantly…

May 1, 2015 TRAVERSE CITY – A $150,000 business loan from Venture North will help complete expansion of a landmark business in downtown Traverse City. Cherry Republic owner Bob Sutherland this week closed on a $150,000 loan from Venture North’s Development Fund to be used for gap financing on a $1 million expansion and renovation…

June 2, 2015 TRAVERSE CITY – A $30,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation will assist the regional business financing efforts of Venture North Funding & Development. The grant was presented at the inaugural Annual Meeting of Venture North held this morning in downtown Traverse City. It was presented by David Mengebier, Senior Vice President…

Area media are invited to attend the inaugural annual meeting of Venture North Funding & Development on Tuesday, June 2, from 8 – 9:30 a.m. at the Corner Loft located at the corner of East Front and Cass streets in downtown Traverse City. The highlight of the event will be a $30,000 contribution from the…

The Traverse Bay Great Start Collaborative was among four finalists and more than 20 nominees considered for the ACCE Regional Innovation Award. Other finalists included a program to expand the skilled workforce for aviation and advanced manufacturing companies around Greenboro, N.C., a business corridor project around Fort Collins, Colo., and a summer teen employment program…

July 15, 2015 TRAVERSE CITY – Kalkaska business owners are being asked for input as the Village of Kalkaska works on an economic development strategy for the community. The village is leading a task force of area business leaders, education and workforce development representatives and other community stakeholders to create an economic development strategy to…